A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and uncontrolled trials reporting on the use of checkpoint blockers in patients with cancer and pre-existing autoimmune disease.

Background: Cancer patients with autoimmune disease have been excluded from randomized trials of immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs). We conducted a systematic review of observational studies and uncontrolled trials including cancer patients with pre-existing autoimmune disease who received ICBs.

Methods: We searched 5 electronic databases through November 2023.

Perilunate Dislocations: Cadaveric Model K-Wire Versus Compression Staple Fixation.

Purpose: Repair of perilunate dislocations requires stabilization of the carpal bones, although there is limited research on the preferred method(s) of stabilization. We compared the biomechanical characteristics of K-wire versus staple fixation of scapholunate (SL) and lunotriquetral (LT) intervals in the wrist.

Methods: After creating a grade IV instability model, 20 cadaver wrists were randomized into 2 stabilization model groups using K-wires or surgical staples across the SL and LT intervals.

Measuring Drug-Induced Changes in Metabolite Populations of Live Bacteria: Real Time Analysis by Raman Spectroscopy.

Raman difference spectroscopy is shown to provide a wealth of molecular detail on changes within bacterial cells caused by infusion of antibiotics or hydrogen peroxide. Escherichia coli strains paired with chloramphenicol, dihydrofolate reductase propargyl-based inhibitors, meropenem, or hydrogen peroxide provide details of the depletion of protein and nucleic acid populations in real time. Additionally, other reproducible Raman features appear and are attributed to changes in cell metabolite populations.

Defining Molecular Details of the Chemistry of Biofilm Formation by Raman Microspectroscopy.

Two protocols that allow for the comparison of Raman spectra of planktonic cells and biofilm formed from these cells in their growth phase have been developed. Planktonic cells are washed and flash-frozen in <1 min to reduce the time for metabolic changes during processing, prior to freeze-drying. Biofilm is formed by standing cells in 50 μL indentations in aluminum foil in an atmosphere of saturated water vapor for 24-48 h.

The Oblique Mattress Lasso-Loop Stitch for Arthroscopic Capsulolabral Repair.

Arthroscopic capsulolabral repair during shoulder stabilization surgery requires the use of suture anchors. Several arthroscopic suturing techniques for capsulolabral repair have been described, and each carries very specific advantages and disadvantages with regard to risk, patient satisfaction, and functional outcomes. The purpose of this report is to describe the oblique mattress lasso-loop stitch.

Arthroscopic Repair of Inferior Labrum Anterior to Posterior Lesions of the Shoulder Using a Combined "Double-Pulley" Simple Knot Technique.

Inferior labrum anterior to posterior lesions as an isolated injury or as part of an extensive traumatic labral tear are uncommon and may present as multidirectional instability of the shoulder. These lesions are hard to visualize radiographically and many times are diagnosed only during surgery. Arthroscopic repair of these lesions requires advanced arthroscopic skills and is required for restoration of glenohumeral stability.

Anomalous abductor digiti minimi in Guyon canal: A cadaver study.

A routine cadaver dissection revealed a noteworthy anomalous muscle in the distal anterior forearm. Clinicians should be aware of this finding and consider it as a differential diagnosis in patients with wrist disorders such as ulnar tunnel syndrome from occlusion of the ulnar canal. A space-occupying lesion, such as the anomalous muscle found in this dissection, is an important potential source of ulnar canal obstruction.

Arthroscopic Reconstruction of the Coracoclavicular Ligaments Using a Coracoid Cerclage Technique.

This technical note discusses the arthroscopic coracoid cerclage technique for double-bundle coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction in patients with nonacute symptomatic high-grade acromioclavicular separation injuries. This technique allows for an anatomic graft reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligaments through an arthroscopic approach without the requirement to drill into the coracoid process. Early results are promising with high patient satisfaction and excellent reported clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Atypical Pectoralis Major Muscle Wasting in a Recreational Weight Lifter.

Pectoralis major injuries are relatively uncommon and can pose a diagnostic challenge. Deformity and weakness of this muscle in weight lifters is typically due to traumatic tendon rupture and often requires surgical repair. However, there are other less common etiologies that can mimic the clinical presentation of pectoralis major wasting and weakness that require different treatment approaches.

The Combined "Double-Pulley" Simple Knot Technique for Arthroscopic Transtendon Fixation of Partial Articular-Sided Tear of the Subscapularis Tendon.

Subscapularis tendon tears occur more frequently than previously suspected. Most subscapularis tendon tears are partial tears that have the potential to progress to complete tears. Repairs of partial tears of the tendon are performed to preserve normal shoulder function.

The Combined "Double Pulley"-Simple Knot Technique for Arthroscopic Shoulder Posterior Labral Repair and Capsular Shift.

Posterior shoulder instability is more prevalent than traditionally believed. Surgical repairs of posterior shoulder instability have overall good success rates. However, in elite overhead and throwing athletes, a low rate of return to the preinjury level of play after repair remains a challenge.

The Double-Pulley Anatomic Technique for Type II SLAP Lesion Repair.

The annual incidence and number of repairs of SLAP lesions in the United States are constantly increasing. Surgical repairs of type II SLAP lesions have overall good success rates. However, a low satisfaction rate and low rate of return to preinjury level of play remain a challenge with elite overhead and throwing athletes.

Arthroscopic Transtendinous Double-Pulley Remplissage Technique in the Beach-Chair Position for Large Hill-Sachs Lesions.

Hill-Sachs lesions are a common finding in patients with glenohumeral instability. There have been numerous methods described for addressing Hill-Sachs deformity. One popular method includes transferring a portion of the infraspinatus muscle into the posterior-superior defect (remplissage) to prevent the lesion from engaging and the resultant instability.

"Mind the Gap": Raman Evidence for Rapid Inactivation of CTX-M-9 β-Lactamase Using Mechanism-Based Inhibitors that Bridge the Active Site.

CTX-M β-lactamases are one of the fastest growing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) families found in Escherichia coli rendering this organism extremely difficult to treat with β-lactam antibiotics. Although they are grouped in class A β-lactamases, the CTX-M family possesses low sequence identity with other enzymes. In addition, they have high hydrolytic activity against oxyimino-cephalosporins, despite having smaller active sites compared to other ESBLs in class A.

Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Kinetics of the OH + Propionaldehyde Reaction between 277 and 375 K at Low Pressure.

Measurements of the rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with propionaldehyde as a function of temperature were performed using low-pressure discharge-flow tube techniques coupled with laser-induced fluorescence detection of OH radicals. The measured room-temperature rate constant of (1.51 ± 0.

New techniques in antibiotic discovery and resistance: Raman spectroscopy.

Raman spectroscopy can play a role in both antibiotic discovery and understanding the molecular basis of resistance. A major challenge in drug development is to measure the population of the drug molecules inside a cell line and to follow the chemistry of their reactions with intracellular targets. Recently, a protocol based on Raman microscopy has been developed that achieves these goals.

Concerted Protein and Nucleic Acid Conformational Changes Observed Prior to Nucleotide Incorporation in a Bacterial RNA Polymerase: Raman Crystallographic Evidence.

Transcription elongation requires the continuous incorporation of ribonucleotide triphosphates into a growing transcript. RNA polymerases (RNAPs) are able to processively synthesize a growing RNA chain via translocation of the RNAP enzyme along its nucleic acid template strand after each nucleotide addition cycle. In this work, a time-resolved Raman spectroscopic analysis of nucleotide addition in single crystals of the Thermus thermophilus elongation complex (TthEC) is reported.

Outcome After Arthroscopic Reconstruction of the Coracoclavicular Ligaments Using a Double-Bundle Coracoid Cerclage Technique.

Purpose: We report the outcome of an arthroscopic technique for coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction using an anatomic coracoid cerclage.

Methods: Between March 2011 and September 2012, 12 consecutive patients with symptomatic chronic (>4 weeks from injury) type V acromioclavicular separation for which nonoperative treatment failed were treated with arthroscopic double-bundle reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligaments using tendon allograft by the first author. The clinical records, operative reports, and preoperative and follow-up radiographs were reviewed.

Measuring propargyl-linked drug populations inside bacterial cells, and their interaction with a dihydrofolate reductase target, by Raman microscopy.

We report the first Raman spectroscopic study of propargyl-linked dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors being taken up by wild type Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus cells. A novel protocol is developed where cells are exposed to the fermentation medium containing a known amount of an inhibitor. At a chosen time point, the cells are centrifuged and washed to remove the extracellular compound, then frozen and freeze-dried.

Detecting a quasi-stable imine species on the reaction pathway of SHV-1 β-lactamase and 6β-(hydroxymethyl)penicillanic acid sulfone.

For the class A β-lactamase SHV-1, the kinetic and mechanistic properties of the clinically used inhibitor sulbactam are compared with the sulbactam analog substituted in its 6β position by a CH2OH group (6β-(hydroxymethyl)penicillanic acid). The 6β substitution improves both in vitro and microbiological inhibitory properties of sulbactam. Base hydrolysis of both compounds was studied by Raman and NMR spectroscopies and showed that lactam ring opening is followed by fragmentation of the dioxothiazolidine ring leading to formation of the iminium ion within 3 min.

Following drug uptake and reactions inside Escherichia coli cells by Raman microspectroscopy.

Raman microspectroscopy combined with Raman difference spectroscopy reveals the details of chemical reactions within bacterial cells. The method provides direct quantitative data on penetration of druglike molecules into Escherichia coli cells in situ along with the details of drug-target reactions. With this label-free technique, clavulanic acid and tazobactam can be observed as they penetrate into E.

Analysis of carotenoid isomerase activity in a prototypical carotenoid cleavage enzyme, apocarotenoid oxygenase (ACO).

Carotenoid cleavage enzymes (CCEs) constitute a group of evolutionarily related proteins that metabolize a variety of carotenoid and non-carotenoid substrates. Typically, these enzymes utilize a non-heme iron center to oxidatively cleave a carbon-carbon double bond of a carotenoid substrate. Some members also isomerize specific double bonds in their substrates to yield cis-apocarotenoid products.

The cross-cultural utility of foreign- and locally-derived normative data for three WHO-endorsed neuropsychological tests for South African adolescents.

Interpretation of neuropsychological tests may be hampered by confounding sociodemographic factors and by using inappropriate normative data. We investigated these factors in three tests endorsed by the World Health Organization: the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT), the Children's Color Trails Test (CCTT), and the WHO/UCLA version of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). In a sample of 12-15-year-old, Afrikaans- and English-speaking adolescents from the Cape Town region of South Africa, analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) demonstrated that quality of education was the sociodemographic factor with the biggest influence on test performance, and that age also significantly influenced GPT and CCTT performance.

Escitalopram treatment of depression in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Depression can be a chronic and impairing illness in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Large randomized studies of newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as escitalopram in the treatment of depression in HIV, examining comparative treatment efficacy and safety, have yet to be done in HIV-positive patients. This was a fixed-dose, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study to investigate the efficacy of escitalopram in HIV-seropositive subjects with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, major depressive disorder.